With the population of the Raleigh-Durham area growing rapidly each year, many fast food chains are taking notice and opening new locations in the area. This includes fast food chains from all over the country, as well as some from around the world. Some of these chains are well known, like Whataburger or Culvers which are opening locations in the Triangle. Below are some of the newest restaurants that are going to start popping up all over the area.
Whataburger:
Whataburger (not to be confused with the drive-in burger joint What-A-Burger) is a Texas-based fast-food burger chain, with most of its locations in Texas. Whataburger has recently announced that it will be opening two locations in Raleigh, projected to open in 2026. The restaurants will be located on Six Forks Road and Falls of Neuse Road, both in North Raleigh. Whataburger has already opened locations in Charlotte and Greensboro and is planning to open various locations in other cities and towns around the state. Whataburger CEO Debbie Stroud had this to say about the growth of her fast food business: “We have almost 1,100 restaurants now. It’s very possible that over the course of the next five years, we can grow that by another 500 restaurants. That’s about the pace that we’re at. It’s aspirational, and we want to do it in the right way.”
Culvers:
Culver’s is a Wisconsin-based burger/frozen custard joint that is one of the fastest-growing fast food chains in America right now. Culver’s already has a good number of locations in the area and in the state, with the closest one to Green Hope High School being in Apex on Kelly Road. In 2026, Culver’s is planning to open locations in the nearby towns of Sanford and Selma.
Raising Cane’s:
Raising Cane’s, originating from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is also one of the fastest-growing fast food chains in America. They are a unique chain that only serves chicken fingers. They, are also known for their signature Cane’s Sauce, which you can get in a large cup for dipping. Raising Cane’s already has a location in the area, located in Chapel Hill, right across the street from the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Raising Cane’s has announced that it is opening a location right across the street from the campus of North Carolina State University, in downtown Raleigh, which is set to open in Jan. 2026.
Guthrie’s Chicken:
Guthrie’s Chicken started in the small town of Haleyville, Alabama as a family-owned restaurant when Joe Kelly Guthrie (who is now the CEO) wanted to expand his family’s restaurant chain from only one restaurant to hundreds across the country. Recently, on Nov. 4, 2025, a new location opened at the busy intersection of Wake Forest and Six Forks Roads in North Raleigh, officially becoming the first Guthrie’s Chicken restaurant in the state. Joe Kelly Guthrie had this to say about the new restaurant, “If you’re from Raleigh or visiting Raleigh or anything, we believe you’re going to pass by this location at some point or another, if you’re there for a few days, and we love this area.”
Why are so many fast food chains choosing the Triangle?: Well, the main reason all of these fast food chains are deciding to open locations in the area is because of the rapid growth of the population, as the nearby Research Triangle Park area is growing more and more each year. With the population’s growth, many fast food chains are taking notice and are opening locations in the area because they are hoping for better business in an area that is growing.
